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Summary

This book examines accountability in the EU from different perspectives and considers whether EU citizens have real opportunities for holding decision-makers accountable. This book critically analyses five arguments which claim there are sufficient means for holding decision-makers to account in the Union. The authors examine: The argument that we should rethink the meaning of accountability in the EU context The claim that there is no accountability deficit in the EU because member states have the power to retrieve all delegated competencies The assertion that EU citizens have effective mechanisms for holding those responsible for legislative decision-making to account The contention that the arrangements that obtain at present for holding the executive power in the EU to account are acceptable The belief that the involvement of organised civil society can work as an alternative to traditional forms of accountability The main conclusion is that the current institutional set-up and practice of decision-making in the EU is one that merely creates an illusion of accountability. Using a strict framework focusing on the difference between formal mechanisms and actual opportunities for accountability, this highly coherent volume will be of interest to students and scholars of European politics, especially those interested in the democratic foundations of the European political system.

Table of Contents

Preface

Notes on contributors

Examining the illusion of accountability - Sverker Gustavsson

Accountability in world politics

Accountability and democracy

Putting limits on accountability avoidance

Irretrievable powers and democratic accountability

EU treaty reform and accountability

Delegation to the permanent representation and mechanisms of accountability

European intelligence cooperation and accountability

Executive power and accountability in the European Union

The European Central Bank - independent and accountable?

Civil society participation and accountability

Improving accountability in the European Union - the potential role of NGOs